Jo-Jo O’ and the Woods releases second album

Jo-Jo O’ and the Woods, one of Lacombe’s up and coming musical acts, is currently in the midst of celebrating the release of their second album Moonchild.

“It is a musical departure from what we were doing before,” Jo-Jo O’Donoghue, vocals, said. “It is more rock n’ roll with a pop-like, polished sound. It took us ages and we are really excited.”

O’Donoghue said the changing sound came out of the changing structure of the band. Previously, O’Donoghue and song-writer/guitarist Rylan Woods would write in order for most of their songs to be played acoustically.

The band now has now expanded into a full set, meaning they are able to expand their repertoire.

“This is more of the band we want to be,” O’Donoghue said.

Everyone involved with the album is from Central Alberta except for the bassist and O’Donoghue said the album does have some western themes to it.

So far, the reaction has been positive.

“I was worried that people who liked our first record would be put off or surprised by the aesthetic of this album but everyone seems to love it so far.,” O’Donoghue said. “We have had a good reaction and have got a lot of good comments.”

O’Donoghue said the band is always wanting to try new things and not be confined to one genre.

“We write songs and I think that is what people expect from us — to do anything and everything at anytime,” she said.

Currently the band is residing in the U.K, where they are collaborating with artists from the Isle of Wight.

“We are working on our next record with them and we started writing this record last year — so we are already an album ahead of our album,” she said. “We are focused on getting in the studio with new musicians and experimenting with this next record.

“We are hoping we can get it done this winter but God only knows.”

O’Donoghue added she is sure the album will once again have a brand new vibe to it.

“I get pretty bored and don’t stick to one thing for very long,” she said, adding she is thankful for the artistic hub of Lacombe which helped the band start their journey.

“There are a lot of musicians that we went to school with that are still musicians, just maybe not in Lacombe or Alberta,” she said. “There is obviously a culture and environment that is nurturing artists.”

The album is currently available on iTunes, Spotify or Google Play — and can be purchased online at jojooandthewoods.com.

“We are really relieved that it is out. It took us too long to get this one out and got a little frustrating,” she said. “We are excited that our baby is free and we getting radio play across the country which is really good news.